Friday, December 11, 2009

Recent Emails About Crow Creek- Updates

Recent Emails About Crow Creek- Updates

Crow Creek: Please see contact information for donations. Thank you very muchAay Sisters & Brothers.....A. Gay Kingman sent us the information for us to make any donations possible thru Wells Fargo Bank.

Thank you for all you do!Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews

December 7, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters;

Recently, the IRS has seized and auctioned 7100 acres of our prime development land on the Crow Creek Reservation. We have tried to raise funds for months to save our land. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful. We have tried to stop them from auctioning off our land through the justice system, however justice did not prevail.

It is no secret that Buffalo County is the poorest county in the nation and that 78% of the people on our reservation live far below the poverty line; this is why we are reaching out to our Native Brothers and Sisters. Only you know the importance of retaining our land base.

Recently, we were granted a trial for a judge to decide whether or not we should be allowed to keep this property, which they already sold to a non-Indian. This allows us 120 days to raise 4 million dollars to purchase our land back and clear up the levy that the IRS ($600,000) has on the property.

Any financial assistance that you could give to us would be greatly appreciated. We have set up an account at Wells Fargo in Chamberlain, South Dakota and all donations are tax deductible. The bank can be contacted at 605-734-6001 or contact Leroy Bear Thompson at 605-245-2304. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Press Release - Who Turned Off The Rights For The Residents Of Crow Creek?Dec. 09, 2009

CAN-DO Rides for Lights and Human RIghtsLos Angeles, CA (PRWEB) -- Award-winning disaster relief agency CAN-DO, as highlighted on Oprah's Big Give, proudly announces the launch of their Ride for Lights Campaign to raise awareness and the funds needed to put an end to the abuses and human rights violations taking place today on the Crow Creek Reservation.Right now people are forced to live without power in sub-zero temperatures on the Crow Creek Reservation. This is a situation CAN-DO has continued to bring to light for more than two years and for 13 days this December, Eric Klein, Founder of CAN-DO, will participate in the "Mankato Ride" to honor those 38 who were killed on December 26, 1862 in Mankato, MN.From December 13th-26th, Klein will ride alongside others to raise awareness and establish a fund for those devastated by overly inflated electricity bills in our Nation's poorest county. CAN-DO is putting out a urgent call to action to gain pledges for every mile Klein rides to help restore the rights - and lights - for the people of Crow Creek.Klein will ride 330 miles in sub-zero temperatures while broadcasting LIVE on VirtualVolunteer.tv."Our Ride for Lights", is more than a fundraising campaign, it is a critical call to action to our nation and our nation's leaders to put an immediate end to this cultural genocide that continues on our American soil," said Eric Klein. "These abuses must stop and we must unite to build a better future for these communities that are at the heart of our American heritage. With annual incomes averaging less than $5,000 per household, this community knows suffering far beyond what most of us can image - that paired with having their power illegitimately shut off in sub-zero temperatures. We must address these unfathomable abuses."These abuses today mirror those that occurred on December 26, 1862 when 38 Dakota men were marched in single file to a scaffold guarded by 1,400 troops. The pull of a single lever ended the lives of 38 Dakota men, while a crowd of citizens witnessed the largest mass execution in the history of United States. In addition to the mass execution, 265 Dakota men were sent to Prison near Davenport Iowa while 1,300 Dakota men, women, and children were exiled to a concentration camp known today as The Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.CAN-DO has continued to with the Crow Creek community to meet their immediate survival needs while promoting long-term sustainability, improved quality of life, and community revitalization through comprehensive, community-led solutions. Together, Brandon Sazue, Crow Creek Tribal Chairman, Peter Lengkeek and the Crow Creek Reservation in coordination with CAN-DO are working tirelessly to help bring the ongoing abuses to light and together have developed their Five Point Revitalization Plan focused on sustainable solutions to promote energy independence, economic development, and most importantly, cultural preservation.CAN-DO's Five Point Revitalization Plan was recently distributed at the White House Tribal Conference hosted by President Barack Obama. At the week long conference, Klein and Lengkeek presented the Crow Creek Revitalization Plan to more than 37 government leaders including members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and others. In addition to these abuses brought to light by CAN-DO, just this week the Associated Press' highlighted yet another blow the residents of Crow Creek. This past week, "The Internal Revenue Service on Thursday auctioned off a large swath of land owned by an impoverished Indian tribe to help pay off more than $3 million in back taxes, penalties and interest - a sale the tribe says is illegal under federal laws protecting Indian land. The 7,100 acres, or 11 square miles, of Crow Creek Sioux tribal land in central South Dakota sold for almost $2.6 million, less than the $4.6 million it was appraised at, said IRS spokeswoman Carrie Resch.The tribe filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District court in Pierre seeking to block the sale. Judge Roberto A. Lange declined their request but promised to schedule a trial to hear the tribe's arguments."Appalled by such continued abuse and neglect, US Marine and Crow Creek resident Peter Lengkeek has continued to take action to publicize this exploitation. Two years ago, using a hand-held video recorder, Lengkeek documented Central Electric physically cutting electricity lines and removing meters in the peak of winter and joined forces with CAN-DO."In the past, there have been people who have come to here to help, but have had ulterior motives, and nothing ever came of it," said Peter Lengkeek. "CAN-DO is coming here and working beside us. They have given us a voice we have never had before. What I can see in the future is a beautiful community where people have their pride, respect and dignity.I can see self-reliance again. CAN-DO is providing hope in a place where there is no hope.""Do not let these abuses continue on our own soil, take Peter's lead and DO something," stated Klein. "We can make a difference. We can make this right. Help put an end to these abuses. Make Human Rights a priority here at home." About CAN-DO: Founded by Eric Klein, CAN-DO has set a new standard for humanitarian aid and is changing the face of philanthropy. CAN-DO's successful missions to bring immediate and direct relief to areas in need have captured the attention of renowned philanthropists including Oprah Winfrey and former president Bill Clinton. The organization was recently awarded the Global Compassion Award at the United Nations for its global impact, unparalleled transparency and accountability.Video footage, photographs and the web site offer documentation of the organization's efforts at every phase. For further information, please visit www.can-do.org. To schedule media interviews or to get involved, please contact Alissa Sears of Christie Communications at 805-969-3744 or by email at alissa(at)christiecomm(dot)com.http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/who-turned-off-the-rights,1081260.shtml .-----

Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews

Update Crow Creek 12-10December 10, 2009

Photo by: NDN News

Today, I visited with Chairman Suzue on the Crow Creek land. He is still taking a stand and says he will stand strong until the land is returned. He is camped out on the prairie in a small camp trailer, in sub zero temperatures. It is very humbling to see the strength and courage he has, the emotional look in his eyes was overwhelming, it brought tears to mine. I ensured him, they have support from across the country, and people were on their way to stand with him in this fight. He is extremely grateful for all the support and prayers they have been receiving.

On Saturday, there will be caravan to the land and a prayer ceremony at 2:00 pm. If you are nearby and can attend, please come show your support for the cause. Details are posted on my websitewww.NDNnews.com .

Tomorrow night (12-11) Chairman Sazue will be on Robin Carneen’s Blog Talk Radio Show at 8:00 (PST). There will also be a few guests. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/namapahh_radio/2009/12/12/12-11-09crowcreekrezsdcan-doorg-ericklein-rideforl

I was also given permission by Chairman Sazue to create a online petiion, which I am creating this evening and will forward out as soon as it is completed.

NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.

PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!

"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006

Herseth Sandlin questions tribal land auction

The Associated Press | Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 7:00 amU.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin is questioning the Internal Revenue Service's move to auction tribal land on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.The South Dakota Democrat says she is worried about the precedent it sets.The IRS last week auctioned off about 11 square miles of land owned by an impoverished Indian tribe to help pay off more than $3 million in back taxes, penalties and interest. The tribe says the sale is illegal under federal laws protecting American Indian land and sued to block the sale. A judge let it proceed but promised to schedule a trial to hear the tribe's arguments.Herseth Sandlin says her office is still gathering information, and she stopped short of saying the IRS should back off. But she says the sale of the land is unfortunate.South Dakota Sens. Tim Johnson and John Thune also say they hope a solution can be found.http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_c986ba0a-e65b-11de-8f70-001cc4c03286.html

NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.

PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!

"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006